Patents Assigned to Volkswagen
  • Display and/or control unit for at least one electrical device in motor vehicles
    Patent number: 6494527
    Abstract: A base unit for mounting on a console of a motor vehicle formed by a ventilation device and a control and/or display device. The base unit is arranged on the console so that the control and/or display device can be used by a passenger in a rear seat of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Klaus Bischoff
  • Method for controlling the speed and distance of a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 6493625
    Abstract: A method for controlling the speed of a motor vehicle and the distance of a motor vehicle to at least one motor vehicle driving ahead includes the steps of: inputting a setpoint trailing distance to the motor vehicle driving ahead; determining, in accordance with at least one detector, at least the speed of the motor vehicle, the distance, and the speed relative to the motor vehicle driving ahead; decelerating or accelerating the motor vehicle in response to the detected distance deviating from the setpoint trailing distance; calculating, in response to the motor vehicle driving ahead being lost from the detection range of the detector (target loss), the speed of the motor vehicle driving ahead from the relative speed determined prior to losing the target; and calculating the actual distance from the driving speed of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Peter Andreas, Thomas Ruchatz, Wolfgang Baeker, Thomas Bizenberger, Heiko Rabba
  • Method of edge fold sealing
    Patent number: 6478915
    Abstract: A method of sealing body parts such as an edge fold of a motor vehicle component, for example a door, a rear or front flap or a sliding roof panel, includes a two-step pre-cross-linking of the sealing composition in the rough body part. In a first step the surface of a UV-active sealing composition is pre-cross-linked by UV irradiation, and in a second step immediately following, the edge fold adhesive and the sealing composition are hardened by thermal action. The edge-sealed body parts produced by the method are transportable and are of visually and functionally satisfactory quality after passing through cleaning baths and after thermal hardening in a KTL kiln. Since the sealing is carried out in the rough body part rather than during the coating process, the method provides a substantial potential cost saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, Sika AG vorm. Kaspar Winkler & CO
    Inventors: Jörg Schmalbruch, Peter W. Merz, Patricia Bucher, Karl-Heinz Sonnenberg, Volker Beckord
  • Windshield frame air bag for pedestrian protection
    Patent number: 6467563
    Abstract: An air bag assembly including an inflator for discharging inflation gas and a gas receiving expansible air bag cushion of winged geometry disposed in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon release of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is deployed substantially over the windshield of an automobile as well as the pillars adjacent the windshield. View ports are present within the interior of the air bag cushion so as to maintain a degree of visibility for the vehicle operator after deployment has taken place. Mesh netting or a like material which does not unduly restrict visibility may extend across the internally formed view ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc., Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Shawn Gregory Ryan, Srinivasan V. Raman, Jeffrey Allen Welch, Ruprecht Sinnhuber, Conrad Oehlerking, Chantal S. Parenteau
  • Multifunction display arrangement for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 6448893
    Abstract: A multipurpose display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an electronic display device for displaying information and at least one control element. The multipurpose display arrangement is located in an aperture in the vehicle instrument panel in the visual range of the vehicle driver. In order to minimize reflections and dazzle on the display surface which are caused by the incident light and/or bright surfaces inside the vehicle, the electronic display device is mounted so as to be pivotable in at least two axes in the instrument panel aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Dobberkau, Dieter Kriegel, Klaus-Gert Besel, Frank Golisch, Olaf Lengfeld
  • Occupant protection device with a steering wheel airbag for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 6443486
    Abstract: An occupant protection device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag configuration disposed in a hub of a steering wheel. A cover formed of two airbag flaps covers an airbag outlet opening. At least two connecting straps and/or pivoting levers hold each of the two airbag flaps when the steering wheel airbag deploys. At least one of the two airbag flaps radially pivots into a release position when the steering wheel airbag deploys and guides the steering wheel airbag into a given deployment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ruprecht Sinnhuber, Thomas Wohllebe
  • Effort reduction system for the actuation of the clutch pedal for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 6443288
    Abstract: A system for reducing the force to actuate the clutch pedal in automobiles is described, wherein the clutch-actuating pedal (2) is fixed to one end of an actuating arm (1), which has, at its other end, a pivot pin (3) as an integral part of the free end of the rod (4), the actuating arm (1) being further pivoted around a pivot pin (6) located between its ends and fixed to the vehicle body (not shown), so that a force applied on to the pedal (2) causes the pivot pin (3), provided at the other end of the actuating arm (1), to actuate, pressing the rod (4) of the plunger of the clutch master cylinder (5). This invention reduces the actuating force with a system in which the actuating arm (1), upon actuating the pedal (2), pivot pin (3) and, consequently, the lever arm (X), where the force on the rod is applied, describe a rotational path (A) around the pin (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen Do Brasil Ltda.
    Inventor: Emygdio José Do Carmo Pinto
  • Windshield wiper arrangement for vehicles
    Patent number: 6438815
    Abstract: A windshield wiper arrangement includes a mounting for a drive containing a wiper motor, a gear unit and a lever arm and two bearing brackets, spaced from the drive, containing wiper arm drive shafts each carrying an oscillating lever connected by a link rod to the lever arm. The mounting is an integral tubular structure shaped by high pressure forming of a tubular blank placed in a two-part mold having recesses extending essentially perpendicularly to the axis of the tubular part. Bushings for the drive shafts and a mount for the drive are forced into projections which are formed in the recesses when the tubular blank is shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Ostrowski
  • Drive train control of a vehicle having continuously variable transmission
    Patent number: 6442471
    Abstract: A control system controls operation of a vehicle drive train during acceleration to avoid regions of engine torque and speed which result in high emissions. The system responds to operator control signal, engine speed signals and optionally engine temperature signals and provides output signals to control the fuel injection to thereby control engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Rolf Bosse
  • Cylinder head for an internal combustion engine with a pump-jet unit
    Patent number: 6431138
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine with at least one pump/nozzle unit, including at least one bearing block with a bearing half for a camshaft and with a bearing half for a rocker arm shaft for at least one rocker arm for actuating the pump/nozzle unit, a first separate lubricant supply duct provided in the cylinder head, and a second lubricant supply duct provided in the bearing block, a first end of the second lubricant supply duct being connected to the first lubricant supply duct and a second end of the second lubricant supply duct ending open in a bearing face of the bearing half for the rocker arm shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ingo Kühne, Jens Hadler
  • Accessory drive for the valves of an internal combustion engine
    Publication number: 20020104497
    Abstract: An accessory drive for the valves of an internal combustion engine, especially an Otto engine, especially for a motor vehicle, with at least one camshaft, which is divided into two camshaft halves. A camshaft gear wheel is provided between the two halves of the camshaft. A hydraulic camshaft adjuster is installed between the two halves of the camshaft. This adjuster is designed as a thrust bearing for each of the two halves of the camshaft, and each camshaft half has a hydraulic fluid connection extending via the associated thrust bearing to the camshaft adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Nico Schreeck, Dietmar Lagies
  • Airbag system for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 6428041
    Abstract: An airbag system includes a contact sensing element acted on by a gas generator to extend in the direction of airbag deployment. The contact sensing element carries a sleeve which initially covers gas openings on the generator and when the contact element is fully extended uncovers the openings to enable rapid airbag deployment. Deployment is slowed in the event the contact element encounters an obstacle, such as an out-of-position passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Wohllebe, Ruprecht Sinnhuber
  • Actuators for pump-nozzle-injection elements or injection pumps for internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 6427669
    Abstract: A drive for pump-nozzle injection elements and injection pumps of an internal combustion engine. The drive includes a crankshaft, a camshaft for actuating the injection elements, and form-locking traction member for drivingly connecting the crankshaft to the to the camshaft so that torque angles change in a synchronous manner. The camshaft has cams which are optimized in each case for an injection process with respect to stroke velocity and thus feed rate of fuel. The cams are configured so that the torque angle or a range of torque angles (&agr;VHmax) before TDC of the cams at which the cams produce a maximum fuel feed rate deviates by an angle &agr;a from an optimum angle before TDC (K). An amount by which the angle deviates from the optimum angle in a direction toward TDC is no more than an angular error (&agr;F) resulting from an increase in length of the traction means during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jens Hadler
  • Induction system for supplying an internal combustion engine with combustion air
    Patent number: 6425363
    Abstract: A suction system for supplying an internal combustion engine with combustion air, especially in an automobile. The suction system includes at least one separate air collector from which individual suction pipes each lead to the air inlets of the respective cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The suction pipes are configured as ram tubes for the top speed areas of the internal combustion engine. At least one compensation flap is located in the air collector. When closed, the compensation flap divides the air collector to provide a long pre-suction section and when open, instead of a long pre-suction section provides an air collector with an increased volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Lieske, Holger Scholz
  • Airbag system for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 6422599
    Abstract: Pressurized gas from a gas source for inflating one or more vehicle airbags is routed along a path that includes at least a portion of the air-conditioning ducts of the vehicle. In one arrangement a pressurized gas hose is routed through the ducts. In another arrangement the pressurized gas flows through a portion of the air conditioner ducts that is isolated by valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Klaus Oehm
  • Method and arrangement for controlling activation of restraining devices in a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 6421591
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement are described for controlling activation of occupant restraining devices in a motor vehicle in which actual data relating to vehicle motion are detected and applied to an activation algorithm to generate activation signals as required for the activation of at least one of the restraining devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Hackenberg
  • Shut-off valve for a tank
    Patent number: 6415813
    Abstract: A shut-off valve for a tank, including a filling tube with a filling-side valve seat and a tank-side valve seat. The seats being spaced apart from one another in a throughflow direction of the filling tube. A valve body with a sealing element is movable between the valve seats so as to butt against one of the valve seats depending on position of the valve body in the tube. A component is provided for prestressing the valve body toward the filling-side valve seat so as to seal the filling tube in relation to the filling-side valve seat in a rest position of the valve body, the prestressing component being configured so that the prestressing of the valve body can be overcome by flow pressure of a medium which is to be introduced toward the tank-side valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Burkhard Kraft
  • Electrical system with security battery disconnection
    Patent number: 6417579
    Abstract: A starter circuit for a motor vehicle includes a circuit breaker responsive to a crash senor for disconnecting the starter circuit. A bypass switch is provided, which responds to a control circuit to provide power to the starter circuit following activation of the breaker, if the starter circuit is free of short circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lehnst, Uwe Müller, Thomas Marten, Uwe Dierker
  • Automobile multifunctional display and control device method
    Patent number: 6411877
    Abstract: A display and control system is arranged to control multiple devices in a motor vehicle. The display includes an information display portion and a function display portion arranged adjacent to variable function control elements arranged near the periphery of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ingo Böckmann, Ebert Holger, Heimermann Matthias
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: D464914
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Harmut Warkuss, Gerd Pfefferle, Ralf Dekena